7 seat estate - PH help/ advise required please

[kiwifraser]

I have started 5 'what car' threads in the past few years, and the suggestions from each one has resulted in the purchase of a fairly random mix of vehicles (as you will see in my profile garage).

The latest change from the current Saab 9-5 Aero Estate was not an expected/ planned one, but unfortunate circumstances ( See here ) have meant I need a 7 seater and the Aero will be sold on.


The required criteria:
I would prefer something adept at coping with Scottish winter temperatures
I am looking for an Estate or 4x4 only (I definitely don't want an MPV/ People Carrier/ Van).
I need the ability to seat 7
I would prefer something with a bit of 'go', or a nice V8 sound, or have a bit of 'PHness' rather than everyday mundane.
Budget is £2000 preferred, but up to £3500 possible for something really worth having.

The first on the poll list is circa £1500, increasing up to the last couple at £3500, so take this into account against the criteria

Assume all are in good condition, auto, cow, high spec, and at least 6 months tax and MOT.

It would help me out if you could vote for all on the list that you would recommend, and let me know if you have any better ideas

Cheers
kiwi

Edited by kiwifraser on Tuesday 22 January 13:37

[kiwifraser]

Yay, the PH techies (Thanks switch) have worked their programming magic and my poll is fixed!

Vote away

[320touring]

W124 is the only Merc to have at that money.

Personally, if not doing a huge number of miles, but wanting total mobility in Scottish mingin weather, I'd stretch to a 4matic on winter tyres

[kiwifraser]

Just looking at the bespoke springs on the 4matic scares me I think a good W124 RWD would be fine for my needs.

A set of winter tyres will be put on whatever I get, and I pretty comfortable that will be enough to cope with the winter roads to Aviemore, Fort William, etc

[Gruber]

kiwifraser said:

Just looking at the bespoke springs on the 4matic scares me I think a good W124 RWD would be fine for my needs.

A set of winter tyres will be put on whatever I get, and I pretty comfortable that will be enough to cope with the winter roads to Aviemore, Fort William, etc

You could buy a RWD W124 with winter tyres already fitted and save even more!

[BuzzLightyear]

You should be able to find an XC90 within your budget.

(Did they do 7 seat versions of the ML and A6 or are they after-market conversions?)

[ImpossiblyDaft]

How big do the extra seats need to be? You won't fit anyone over 5 foot in the ones in the back of a V70 properly. I had an 850 T5 which was lovely and it goes without saying that winter isn't a problem for one.

[kiwifraser]

BuzzLightyear said:

You should be able to find an XC90 within your budget.

(Did they do 7 seat versions of the ML and A6 or are they after-market conversions?)

I like the look of the XC90's, but 1) didnt think they were that cheap yet, and 2) didn't know they did a 7 seater. PH classifieds here I come!


Both ML and A6 had options as far as I can tell, although reasonably rare. The ML is the only one with forward facing rear seats.

[kiwifraser]

ImpossiblyDaft said:

How big do the extra seats need to be? You won't fit anyone over 5 foot in the ones in the back of a V70 properly. I had an 850 T5 which was lovely and it goes without saying that winter isn't a problem for one.

Primarily local journeys for the kids only, so rear facing and height restrictions arent a problem. I do want 3 point seatbelts, which count's out the fold down type seats in a Disco.

[rgracin]

I voted for the W210 E430, but I might be slightly biased as I'm looking to sell mine

[kiwifraser]

rgracin said:

I voted for the W210 E430, but I might be slightly biased as I'm looking to sell mine

Is it advertised somewhere?

[kiwifraser]

Gruber said:

You could buy a RWD W124 with winter tyres already fitted and save even more!

I keep looking at it!!! The only convincing I need to do to get a 'classic' Merc is convince Mrs kiwi that is has 'modern car' luxuries. The PH classifieds is broken, but iirc the Heated Seats and Aircon need fixed? Any idea how much, as this is a key Mrs selling point

[ImpossiblyDaft]

kiwifraser said:

Primarily local journeys for the kids only, so rear facing and height restrictions arent a problem. I do want 3 point seatbelts, which count's out the fold down type seats in a Disco.

They definitely had that on the 850 so I'd assume they kept it with the V70.

[kiwifraser]

kiwifraser said:

BuzzLightyear said:

You should be able to find an XC90 within your budget.

(Did they do 7 seat versions of the ML and A6 or are they after-market conversions?)

I like the look of the XC90's, but 1) didnt think they were that cheap yet, and 2) didn't know they did a 7 seater. PH classifieds here I come!


Both ML and A6 had options as far as I can tell, although reasonably rare. The ML is the only one with forward facing rear seats.

Well, well... they just scrape into budget!

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/2004...

The kids would love DVD headrests too. Just the sort of thing which helps increase the budget



EDIT: added it to the poll. They look good, and fit the criteria, but are they reliable/good to own and drive?

Edited by kiwifraser on Tuesday 22 January 15:04

[Ranger 6]

Of the 14 votes so far no one has gone for the ML - there's a good reason for that with ones of that age.

Don't touch, even with someone elses bargepole...

[kiwifraser]

Ranger 6 said:

Of the 14 votes so far no one has gone for the ML - there's a good reason for that with ones of that age.

Don't touch, even with someone elses bargepole...

Cheers Richard, I pretty much guessed that. Someone recommended it as the only option with 7 forward facing seats. I actually think they look a bit bleugh.

[cure]

I didn't know about the concept of 7-seater estates. Looks brilliant.
Out of the poll I'd say the E55, but that's just because it is a bit silly so don't listen to that.

[Ranger 6]

kiwifraser said:

Cheers Richard, I pretty much guessed that. Someone recommended it as the only option with 7 forward facing seats. I actually think they look a bit bleugh.

Mine (ML320) was awful, the seats rattled and creaked when folded up so had to take them out, the kids couldn't fit comfortably in them when folded down and lower limb amputation wasn't an option, the handling was sh*te compared to the equivalent estate and build quality was lousy.

Good luck with the search

[y2blade]

kiwifraser said:

Ranger 6 said:

Of the 14 votes so far no one has gone for the ML - there's a good reason for that with ones of that age.

Don't touch, even with someone elses bargepole...

Cheers Richard, I pretty much guessed that. Someone recommended it as the only option with 7 forward facing seats. I actually think they look a bit bleugh.

Same goes for the XC90 in that price range too tbh.
I'm well aware of how lucky we've been with our one (ridiculously low mileage T6 with the timebomb GM gearbox), saying that with what we paid for it, it could lunch it's gearbox (£4k worth iirc) and we could break it for parts and still be ££££'s in....we've had it over a year and it's cost nothing other than servicing, used solely for towing the horse trailer.

I'd avoid the T6, You really need to look for a 2007 (185bhp) and onwards D5 (older ones are only 163bhp and iffy AWD system) if going for an XC90.


shamelessly lifted from Wiki:
Reliability
Many owners of the T6 variant reported very early transmission failures, many before 60,000 miles (97,000 km).[11][12][13] Some owners reportedly went through two transmissions in that time.[14] The GM-sourced 4T65EV/GT transmissions usually show symptoms of failure by suddenly slipping while in gear. There was not a recall for this issue, but the faults are widely known and documented. Various causes have been said, ranging from engine coolant entering the transmission fluid to problems arising from Volvo's modification of the original GM valve body[15] unit inside the transmission, but none have been substantiated. Non-GM sourced transmissions have not suffered unusual failings of this type.
Many owners of early V8 models in 2005 and some in 2006 have reported problems with the counterbalance shaft. A crevice in the engine block where one of the sealed bearing is located collects water if the engine has been in a wet environment such as washing the engine bay. If the engine is not allowed to heat up and evaporate the water out of the crevice, the bearing will fail prematurely. This issue was addressed and fixed by Volvo by drilling a drain hole in the crevice.

[kiwifraser]

y2blade said:

Same goes for the XC90 in that price range too tbh.
I'm well aware of how lucky we've been with our one (ridiculously low mileage T6 with the timebomb GM gearbox), saying that with what we paid for it, it could lunch it's gearbox (£4k worth iirc) and we could break it for parts and still be ££££'s in....we've had it over a year and it's cost nothing other than servicing, used solely for towing the horse trailer.

I'd avoid the T6, You really need to look for a 2007 (185bhp) and onwards D5 (older ones are only 163bhp and iffy AWD system) if going for an XC90.


shamelessly lifted from Wiki:
Reliability
Many owners of the T6 variant reported very early transmission failures, many before 60,000 miles (97,000 km).[11][12][13] Some owners reportedly went through two transmissions in that time.[14] The GM-sourced 4T65EV/GT transmissions usually show symptoms of failure by suddenly slipping while in gear. There was not a recall for this issue, but the faults are widely known and documented. Various causes have been said, ranging from engine coolant entering the transmission fluid to problems arising from Volvo's modification of the original GM valve body[15] unit inside the transmission, but none have been substantiated. Non-GM sourced transmissions have not suffered unusual failings of this type.
Many owners of early V8 models in 2005 and some in 2006 have reported problems with the counterbalance shaft. A crevice in the engine block where one of the sealed bearing is located collects water if the engine has been in a wet environment such as washing the engine bay. If the engine is not allowed to heat up and evaporate the water out of the crevice, the bearing will fail prematurely. This issue was addressed and fixed by Volvo by drilling a drain hole in the crevice.

If it was one of these, I'd go for the diesel. Timing belt issues appear quite common, as a cause for a irrepairable engine. I gather a top class history would be key to getting a good one.